Farewell to football guardian Nicole Duncan: Brisbane Lions AFL club pays tribute to her 31-year legacy

The Brisbane Lions AFL club is in mourning after the sudden death of the club’s longest-serving employee who lost a three-month battle with leukaemia on the weekend.

Nicole Duncan left a large legacy after working for the Brisbane Lions Club for 31 years. Pictures and additional reporting: Brisbane Lions

A mother-figure to hundreds of AFL Lions stars and the club’s longest-serving employee has died after a brief battle with leukaemia, plunging the club into mourning.

AFL football administration manager Nicole Duncan died on Saturday after being diagnosed with the disease late last year.

The Logan mother of two, who joined the club 31 years ago, was fondly remembered by the club’s well-known players, managers and executives including triple premiership captain Michael Voss.

Ms Duncan was the club’s longest-serving employee, celebrating her 30th anniversary with the Bears/Lions and working under seven coaches from Robert Walls, John Northey, Roger Merrett, Leigh Matthews, Michael Voss, Justin Leppitsch and Chris Fagan.

She was in the all-encompassing role through 713 of the club’s 845 games, including every one of the club’s 37 finals, and with 263 of the club’s 346 players.

During her long career, she worked out of six offices starting at the original Stanley St headquarters under the Clem Jones Stand, to the more recent offices at the Lions’ new Springfield ‘home’ at Brighton Homes Arena.

Brisbane Lions administrative manager Nicole Duncan was with the club for 31 years and was the longest-serving employee before she died this week. Picture: Contributed Brisbane Lions

Her death was acknowledged by the club’s top executives, players and coaches over the weekend with Brisbane Lions chief executive Greg Swann and Lions senior coach Chris Fagan paying glowing tributes to the club stalwart.

Voss, who was a 17-year-old going into his second season when he first met Nicole, said he always saw her as the club’s “gatekeeper” during his 14 years as a player and five years as senior coach.

“The stories she could tell … not many got past her and not many knew as much as she did,” Voss said.

“No task was too big or too small and she would do everything with the same ruthless efficiency.

“She never wasted a word but you always knew she cared. Every detail was mastered and there are many who are grateful to her for doing so much for them.

“Her impact on so many is undeniable,” Voss said.

Nicole Duncan’s love of footy was cultivated by her father, former Fitzroy player “Stewey”, Stewart Duncan, who played 30 VFL games in the early 1960s and is now 83.

Nicole with her brothers Andrew and Angus. Picture: Contributed

She was the oldest of three children, and took her brothers Andrew and Angus under her wing after her mother, Fay, died early in her life.

AFL was always part of the family and brother Angus went on to captain the Queensland State Schoolboys side and play in the Teal Cup (Under 17) carnival.

She was married to Brian Rickson and the couple had two children Jade and Mitchell who plays with the seniors at Park Ridge Pirates.

Nicole Duncan with husband Brian Rickson and daughter Jade and son Mitchell. She took on a maternal role at the Brisbane Lions, where she worked for 31 years. Picture: Contributed

Her love of football took off when she started working with teams at Springwood before joining the then Brisbane Bears in April 1993 shortly after the club’s relocation from Carrara to the Gabba.

Having formerly run the Brisbane Junior League, she was lured to the AFL club by the then newly-appointed Bears football manager Shane Johnson who knew her from QAFL.

She accepted his invitation to start working for the club, enjoying a stellar working career at the “Den” before becoming a club icon.

She replaced then Bears football secretary Wendy Beachley, who later became Wendy Eade after marrying Rodney Eade, the former Hawthorn and Brisbane player, and Sydney, Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast coach.

CEO Greg Swann said Ms Duncan was a true Lions legend.

“She ran everything in the football department with a minimum of fuss and was never fazed by anything,” he said.

“Football clubs at every level are made up of the people involved and I would say that no-one in the history of the Lions had a bigger influence on the players, coaches and the workings of the club.”

Nicole Duncan was a popular member of staff at the Brisbane Lions, where she worked for 31 years. Pictured here with Lions coach Chris Fagan and CEO Greg Swann: Contributed

Lions senior coach Chris Fagan agreed and said Ms Duncan was like a member of his own family with his wife Ursula and daughter Jessica loving her like a sister.

“Her work was her passion and she was an expert at her role. She wanted nothing but the best for our club and her daily aim was to serve the Lions with purpose and efficiency,” Mr Fagan said.

“Without doubt she achieved her goal consistently over a 30-year career.

“To me she is a hero because every day she let her work and actions do the talking. She never complained and took so much pride in everything she did.

“People like her are the heart and soul of a football club. There is no doubt she has left an enduring legacy for all of us to follow.”

Her family announced her shock death on Ms Duncan’s Facebook page on Sunday.

“It is with a heavy heart we write this. Nicole sadly passed away yesterday afternoon surrounded by loved ones. She fought so hard and until the very end.

“We know Nicole touched many lives, and we’re devastated to have her leave this earth so soon, but she is at peace now. We know she was well loved and will be missed by so many.”

Brisbane Lions Club is expected to organise a memorial service for club members to pay their respects, once team players return to Brisbane.

— Additional reporting Brisbane Lions